[Ridge]
The others, not sensing the murderous intent that I am, help haul her back over the railing, cheering and patting her back. Someone even helps untangle the rope from around her legs and lift her to her feet. Fists pump in the air excitedly as Tristan once again finds me among the crowd.
How does she always know exactly where I am? Do redheads have some kind of homing beacon built into their freckles?
She takes a step towards me, her eyes burning with focus. It's like we're the only two people in the world. All of the cheering is drowned out by the sound of my heart against the inside of my chest. Everyone around us moves in slow motion to congratulate her and celebrate her successful survival. Mercenaries are crazy.
Everyone's mad.
A strong hand thumps against her back, making her stumble forward. The moment dissipates as we break eye contact. The knife in her mouth goes flying across the deck, spinning on the wet floorboards and stopping when it hits my shoe.
"Hey-" Tristan starts, only for the hand to clamp down hard on her shoulder, pulling her back up and keeping her in place.
Sileena smiles, "Well, that was just the show we needed." She looks at me, "Satisfied?"
Tristan is busy trying to stop the death grip crushing her shoulder, so I nod. Sileena lets her forced smile fade back into her serious face. She must have seen everything from where she was watching.
I look past her and see the sack of dried berries discarded on the deck by where she stood earlier. Ah. She rushed over here. I wasn't the only one who realized Tristan was a little angrier that she had the right to be.
A few minutes of water in your lungs is nothing compared to being permanently disadvantaged for the rest of your life, in my opinion anyway. To each their own though.
"Great! Then let's celebrate the newly revived alliance between the Grey Wanderers and our favorite hired hand." Sileena announces, dragging Tristan away towards the cabin. The adrenaline filled group of Mercenaries follow, "Let's break out the barrels, boys!"
The crowd moves away, filing down into the cabin to retrieve the barrels of beer they stock down there. The smell alone was enough to key me in on what kind of products they usually move with these boats. I'd have to recruit Tellur or Sir Kierce to find out how many different scents of alcohol are absorbed into the mold and the wood down there.
A hand falls on my arm, and then wraps around me. I turn to see Kadeeth, Raforn standing a few feet away with red puffed out cheeks. Looks like Kadeeth beat him to it.
I have people who wait for me when I need help. Sure I also have some people who want to stab me, but even for all of them I have people who will step in on my behalf. It feels good, knowing someone has your back.
"I'm gonna wait out here for a bit. I have something to take care of before the sun disappears behind those clouds." They both look up to see the storm coming our way. Large, looming blue clouds roll across the previously sunning sky. Even the wind has started picking up. Looks like it'll sweep in and out pretty fast.
"Then we'll stay with you." Raforn says. He starts to drag a few boxes over to sit on.
"Actually, I need some time alone." I admit, hovering my hand over the pocket I shoved Sileena's envelope in, "You guys go have fun, make Tristan forget I'm the one who tried to drown her."
"Um, if you're sure...?" Raforn steps hesitantly towards the open cabin door. Light and noise pours out of it, illuminating a soft path of firelight across the empty deck.
"Yeah, just come get me later, yeah?" He nods, practically skipping inside. He looked so nervous earlier, but he must have been swept away by everyone else's excitement. What I saw as retribution, they viewed as sport.
Kadeeth helps me down onto one of the boxes, and then moves to sit beside me. I dart my hand out and grab the box from under him. He barely has time to catch himself, but he manages to not fall flat in his ass.
"You too." I smirk down at him.
He glares, "Fine. I'll bring you a drink." He grumbles, walking away with his hands shoved casually in his pockets.
Ever since we started this journey out west, he's lost more and more of his distinctively Noble characteristics. By the time we've done what we set out to do, he might not be recognizable anymore. His father's gonna kill me for that.
On the other hand, all of my increased interactions with Nobility are going to turn me into some kind of stuck up prick. Not looking forward to that...
"Thanks." I say offhandedly, already focused on the envelope now being turned over in my hands. It's a letter, addressed to me. The last official letter I got held the condolences of the family my father served.
It was short and concise, only wasting enough space on the paper to get the point across. My father was dead and his worth was equivalent to a paragraph of empty words. I didn't make it all the way through anyway. My tears blurred the ink.
I rip the top of the fat envelope open, taking out a small stack of folded papers. The handwriting is beautiful and curvy, but also rushed and fairly messy all over the pages. I thumb my way to the last page. It's signed, Lady Glissa Lidsore.
I let the pages fall back into place, so I'm staring at my name on the top of the first paper. She wrote so much, and I don't think we ever even really exchanged words. What could she have to say to me?
I take a deep breath and scan to the next line.
Sir Ridge Riddotha,
You don't know me, and I don't know you, but I owe you a debt of gratitude. My fiance, Marquess Heidi Nessmore, has told me of your impression on him.
Although you and my fiance did not speak much, you managed to say a great deal of things. You and your companions are doing an honorable thing for the Empire, and we respect your quest to no end. Thank you for including us in your fight, we both want you to know that you have our full support.
If I were you, I'd be wondering many questions right now. To start off, yes- there is a reason we have chosen to put our trust in a stranger. Also, no- the Marquess did not tell me of your intentions. I'm only speculating on my own suspicions.
As much as I hope to assist you, there is a reason I'm writing to you. I need to ask for your help in return.
My fiance is a great boy, but he is not a man, and he shouldn't have to act like one. I've had the burden of watching him exhaust himself for years now in order to continue his father's legacy and maintain control of the March. I know you saw it too. He can't continue like this.
I desire his position.
Not only do I wish to further my power and political station, I also care for my fiance like any partner would. I don't deny my own ambition, though.
You will meet with many influential people on your journey, that I'm sure of, if you wish to gain support for your cause. I ask that you help me in changing public opinion of the gender laws regarding Noble titles. Something tells me I can rely on you and your progressive friends for this matter.
Sileena also seemed to have full confidence in you, as well as the Viscount. I hope I have clearly conveyed my intentions, and I await your reply. To building a brighter future, Sir Knight.
Best Wishes,
Lady Glissa Lidsore